IN THIS ISSUE
Featured news
COVID-19 updates
• Oral antiviral meds arrive
• Key messages
• Pediatric vaccinations
• Boosters
Highlights
SMLMA merger effective Jan. 1, 2022
Thanks to retiring BOD
Sonoma Health magazine
New financial health dinners for Residents
Member benefit spotlight
January calendar
SMLMA preview hike at Carrington Coast Ranch
Community bulletin board
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Happy New Year and Welcome 2022!
I am so excited to start this New Year, but then there is this .... this COVID thing. I am ready to go out and shop in person and have lunch indoors in an actual restaurant. I get dressed, gather my things and on my way out the door, the fear and anxiety knocks me back to our current reality. It's not over, yet. I can't even imagine how you as medical professionals are feeling. I hope you were able to find some quality time with your family over the holidays. I hope you are feeling healthy and blessed as we head into 2022. I will work with the Board of Directors and the SMLMA Team and try to identify creative ways to connect the medical community in spite of this persistent virus.
It's official! SCMA and MLCMS are now the Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association. Moving forward, we'll be updating everything with the new logo and URLs. If you see a SCMA or MLCMS email or symbol, don't worry. Everything will change over eventually.
Please remember, the SMLMA Team is here in service to YOU. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. We wish you and your family a very happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.
Yours in health and service,
Wendy Young, Executive Director
Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association
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COVID-19 DEVELOPMENTS AND UPDATES |
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BULLETIN FROM SONOMA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
Small supply of oral antiviral medicines available
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Sonoma County has received small allocations of both oral antiviral medications: Paxlovid and Molnupiravir. The California Department of Public Health is sending these allocations directly to a limited number of pharmacies within the County. Please see the letter to providers regarding both medications (Rx criteria, recent state allocations, etc.). The County is working with CDPH to increase the number of pharmacies to receive the medications, but as of Dec. 29 only three local pharmacies have allocations.
- CVS 463 Stony Point Rd. Santa Rosa, CA 95401
- CVS 2771 Fourth St. Santa Rosa, CA 95405
- Rite Aid 955 Stony Point Rd. Santa Rosa, CA 95407
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Dec. 29 key messages from Sonoma County |
Download the last 2021 weekly update from Sonoma County's vaccine communications group for a multitude of links and current information about local vaccine distribution, new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, quarantine rules, booster shots, masking requirements, the pediatric vaccination campaign, vaccination strategy and availability, testing updates and more! The year-end summary contains 23 pages of valuable information and key messages for you to share with patients. |
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Pediatric vaccination campaign underway |
To help parents make the important decision to have their minor children vaccinated, the following links contain comprehensive information about COVID-19 vaccines for children and adolescents.
According to the last report from Sonoma County, more than 34 percent of Sonoma County’s eligible children ages 5 to 11 have received at least one dose since the vaccine became available in early November. Nearly 19 percent of those children are now fully vaccinated.
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Encourage patients to get boosters |
The FDA expanded eligibility for Pfizer and BioNTech booster shots to children ages 12 to 15 years old. The FDA Also shortened the time between the second Pfizer dose and booster shot to five months, down from six months. The FDA authorized a third vaccine dose as part of the primary series of shots for children ages 5 through 11 who have compromised immune systems. New Covid infections have hit a pandemic high in the U.S. as the highly contagious omicron variant has supplanted delta as the dominant strain. Visit the county websites shown below to sign up for an appointment or find a drop-in location.
Practices administering the COVID-19 vaccines can also review the following resources:
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Click images for COVID-19 info in each county |
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Save these links in your browser for quick reference. The county websites contain frequently updated information for COVID-19 testing locations and vaccine events that you can share with patients.
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THANK YOU retiring SMLMA board members |
As the Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association begins the new year, we would like to thank our retiring board members, all of whom served three-year terms. Please join us in extending our appreciation for their service and time. |
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Yasmin Bains, MS, OMSIV
Tara Bartlett, DO
Jay Joseph, MD
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Chad Krilich, MD
Yong Liu, MD
Patricia May, MD
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Rajesh Ranadive, MD
Robert Schulman, MD
Regina Sullivan, MD
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Six positions on the 2022 board remain open. Reps are needed for the Lake County, Mendocino County, Ukiah, Sonoma Valley, North Sonoma County, and FQHC districts. If you are interested in serving, please contact Executive Director Wendy Young at exec@scma.org or 707-620-0808. Your colleagues will be grateful!
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Don't miss new Sonoma Health!
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The first issue of Sonoma Health magazine published late in December with distribution to Press Democrat subscribers and physicians in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake counties.
The new consumer-oriented magazine focuses on the health and well-being of community residents and offers a myriad of information, with many articles written by local physicians. Advances in cardiac health, dementia diagnosis and care, digestive health, a physician's COVID-19 journey, and much more are covered. The resource section offers current listings for open clinical trials, facilities, and community clinics.
Content was vetted for medical accuracy by a Medical Advisory Board, primarily comprised of SMLMA member physicians. If you didn't receive a copy, the magazine is also available online.
Our thanks to publisher Steve Childs and his team for an outstanding job bringing this long-time vision to fruition. With the creation of Sonoma Health, medical professionals now have a platform for sharing information with our community. And thank you to the physicians who wrote articles and those who served on the Medical Advisory Board. This was a wonderful collaboration of individuals and organizations coming together for common good, and we look forward to the next issue!
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NEW SERIES KICKS OFF FEB. 3
Financial health dinner programs for Residents
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The SMLMA is pleased to introduce a new series of FREE dinner programs, specifically designed to guide local Resident physicians in all financial matters. The first dinners will focus on strategies for new investors and school debt repayment. New topics will be added for future dinners based on participation and feedback from attendees.
The twice-monthly Thursday evening dinners will be co-hosted by SMLMA and our Business Partner, Russell Van Sistine CFP®. We will work with the Adventist Health, Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health Family Medicine Residency programs to help bring a community connection and networking opportunity for all Residents. We will follow County protocol as it pertains to gatherings during this continuing pandemic.
Dates for the February and March dinners are listed below. Please register ASAP so we can determine program venues based on participation.
For more details and to reserve your place, contact:
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Santa Rosa Dates for Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Santa Rosa Residents:
- Thursday, February 3, 2022 • 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Thursday, February 17, 2022 • 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 3, 2022 • 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 17, 2022 • 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Adventist Health Ukiah
Resident Dinner Series Partners:
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SCMA contribution awards presented Dec. 8 |
The 2021 awards were presented by SCMA President Dr. Patricia Hiserote at a small, outdoor gathering early in December. Although attendance was limited due to space and COVID-19 concerns, the five individual awardees and several of our vaccine clinic volunteers were present. It was a special evening honoring and recognizing this group of dedicated medical professionals. Our congratulations and gratitude to all those who helped make a difference in 2021 — named and unnamed.
Awardees are listed below. See awards flier for details, including full list of clinic volunteers. Please download and share with colleagues and friends! And please also extend your appreciation to our 2021 sponsors, media partners and SCMA business partners. Without their support, this program would not be possible.
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OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
David Gorchoff, MD, FAAFP, MPH
HIV & Family Medicine Physician / MCHC Lakeside Clinic, Ukiah
Brian Prystowsky, MD
Pediatrician / Sutter Health
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL MEDICINE
Gary Green, MD, FIDSA
Medical Director of Quality, Infection Prevention, & Antibiotic Stewardship /
Sutter Health
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OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SCMA
The SCMA COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Physician Volunteers
RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENT
Wendy Young
Executive Director / Sonoma County Medical Association
PRACTICE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Carolyn Dam, PharmD
Pharmacy Services Manager / Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
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SFMMS Journal covers palliative care advances |
When COVID-19 concerns forced cancellation of plans for an in-person palliative care-themed conference, the San Francisco Marin Medical Society pivoted to make this important topic the theme of fall 2021 San Francisco Marin Medicine journal.
The issue is focused on Palliative Care Advances and Reflections: Supporting Patients and Families for the Road Ahead, and features a number of articles by leaders in this specialty from across the country. Read here.
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CMA publishes overview of federal No Surprises Act |
On Jan. 1, 2022, a new federal law, the “No Surprises Act” (NSA), took effect. This law, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act COVID-19 relief bill, was signed on Dec. 27, 2020, and was primarily designed to reduced unexpected medical bills for patients. To help physicians understand their rights and obligations under the NSA, CMA has published an overview, “The No Surprises Act: What Physicians Need to Know.”
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JANUARY CALENDAR: WEBINARS AND EVENTS |
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Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association
Carrington Coast Ranch Preview Hike (NEW SONOMA COUNTY PARK)
Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy a January outing sponsored by the SMLMA Physician Wellness Committee and Sonoma County Parks Foundation.Take in sweeping views of the Sonoma Coast from these 335 rolling acres recently transferred to Regional Parks from Sonoma County Ag + Open Space. The Carrington Coast Ranch will eventually open to the public as a regional park and open space preserve just north of Bodega Bay and Salmon Creek.
Due to limited parking, a passenger shuttle will transport registered hikers from the Bodega Bay Community Center at scheduled departure times. Registration is required for this event. The cost is $5 per person in Sonoma County and $7 out of county. REGISTER HERE
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California Medical Association
Virtual Grand Rounds: COVID-19 Therapeutics
Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 • 12:00 – 1:00 p.m
Hear from experts who will discuss the evolving landscape of COVID-19 therapeutics and prepare us for the potential oral medications in the pipeline. As usual, we will host Erica Pan, MD, the California State Epidemiologist, who will review that state of COVID-19 in our state and our world. REGISTER HERE
New Laws Affecting Physicians and Their Practices
Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022 • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m
CMA Senior Counsel and Director of Legal Advocacy Joey Cachuela and Legal Counsel Lance Martin will discuss the new 2022 laws that are affecting physicians and their practices, highlight pending health legislation and explain CMA’s legal resources available to members. REGISTER HERE
No Surprises Act - The New Federal Law and Its Impact on California Physicians
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022 • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m
Webinar will introduce the “No Surprises Act,” the federal surprise billing law enacted as part of the 2020 Consolidated Appropriations Act. It will address the impact of the No Surprises Act on physicians in California, including the interplay with AB 72 and other billing protections. REGISTER HERE
Policy and Practice Updates from CMS
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 • 12:15 – 1:15 p.m
CMS Regional Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ashby Wolfe, will provide an overview of current CMS policy as outlined in the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule. She will focus on key updates related to telemedicine, evaluation and management services, and the agency COVID-19 response.REGISTER HERE
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Sutter Health Network
The Sutter Health Virtual Grand Rounds is a Continuing Education (CE) webinar series hosted by Sutter Health Network providers for all medical professionals across Northern California. Interactive Q&A session takes place with each live event. Learn about the entire series here.
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Presented by Joule Adler, MD, Kevin M. Jones, DO, and guests | REGISTER HERE
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 • 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
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Shriners Hospitals for Children: Northern California
Diagnosis & Management of Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis
Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 • 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Presented by Rolando Roberto, MD, Director of the Pediatric Spine Program and orthopedic surgeon | REGISTER HERE
AMA PRA Category 1 Credit Designation for 1.0 contact hour
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"Financial Therapy" for 2022 |
Don't miss FINANCIAL THERAPY, a series of videos created specifically for physicians, nurses and PAs. SCMA Business Partner Russell Van Sistine, CFP® provides tips and insights that could help medical professionals reach their financial goals more quickly and tax-efficiently. Click links to see short presentations with quick tips.
Visit Sonoma Wealth Advisors' new website page for medical professionals.
The videos are for informational purposes only, and not intended as tax or legal advice. Please contact your financial planner or tax advisor for specific information regarding your individual situation.
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PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PRACTICE
Common Pitfalls That Can Put You at Risk of a Lawsuit
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In addition to medical malpractice liability, physicians should protect themselves and their medical practices from multiple areas of exposure. Physicians at Risk: An Essential Guide for Minimizing Liability in Business and Medicine helps you address a wide variety of risks that can impact your patients and your practice. Download your FREE guide.
CAP, a leading provider of medical malpractice coverage for California physicians, is committed to providing resources to help you navigate current challenges in healthcare, including those that continue to arise as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
Learn more about CAP's medical malpractice coverage.
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Congratulations to our newest
SMLMA members!
As always, Family Medicine Residents
are automatically granted membership at no cost.
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2021 reasons to join CMA and SMLMA |
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When you join the California Medical Association and the Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake Medical Association, you join nearly 50,000 members statewide who are actively protecting the practice of medicine and defending public health. CMA's 2021 Year in Review flier tells the story.
CMA/SMLMA membership is an investment in your practice—with exceptional member benefits that include help with reimbursements, COVID-19, telehealth, physician well-being, and expert guidance for medical practice operations.
Locally, members enjoy opportunities for leadership, networking, socializing with colleagues, community involvement, and referrals from SMLMA. We are here for YOU! Call SMLMA/Rachel at 707-525-4375.
See benefits flier for more about CMA tools and resources or call CMA's live-person call center at 800-786-4262 Monday through Friday during business hours.
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Providence announces new chief executive for Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. After a nationwide search and selection process, Providence is pleased to announce that Chuck Kassis been appointed as the new chief executive at Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Starting Feb. 14, 2022, Mr. Kassis will be responsible for the hospital’s operational effectiveness and performance. With more than 33 years of experience as an executive leader in healthcare, Kassis brings a wealth of experience to the role of chief executive. He comes to Providence from Dignity Health - Mercy Medical Center in Merced, California, where he has served as president/CEO since 2014. For more information, visit www.providence.org.
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Join SMLMA and Business Partner Ehrlicher Styles Group for a volunteer event at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. ESG is coordinating an afternoon of supporting the food bank on Thursday, Jan. 13, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Opportunity only available to 40 volunteers. RSVP here to reserve your spot to help with this important community service. |
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FOR LEASE
Sebastopol medical office space (1,232 sq. ft.) for lease in a prime location. Please call 707-823-3210.
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James (Jim) Ellis Clegg, Jr., MD, passed away on Dec. 8, 2021 at the age of 83 in Fort Myers, Florida. Dr. Clegg practiced medicine in Santa Rosa for 46 years as a family physician. Medicine remained a central part of Dr. Clegg's life until his retirement in 2013; working as a doctor was truly his calling in life, and he valued the time he spent with his patients and colleagues in the medical community. Dr. Glegg was a member of SCMA for 54-years! Read more here.
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DID YOU KNOW?
SMLMA members can place FREE classified ads in News Briefs. (Cost for nonmember physicians and the general public is $1 per word.) To place a classified ad or display banner, contact Susan Gumucio at susan@scma.org or 707-481-8995.
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